'Wow, what is all this?'
The facilities in the VIP room were on another level.
Not only were there various exercise machines for simply training Strength and automatic replay dummies for testing techniques, but there was even a simulation room where virtual battles could be conducted.
'Wow, those are Hi-Tech dumbbells. They said the weight can be adjusted however you want.'
Seeing things I had only drooled over while looking through magazines in real life felt completely different. My eyes kept darting around.
'The simulation room is also made by RoadOps, the hottest company right now.'
Almost an entire floor was dedicated to the VIP room.
One side of the wall was equipped with all kinds of training weapons sorted by type. The drink bar, prepared with various beverages and snacks, was an added bonus.
"This place is pretty good too. It's not as good as the guild's training room, but..."
Shin Taeyang, who was also looking around just like me, spoke casually. Could anything really be better than this? The wealth of a major guild was no joke.
'The security seems thorough, fitting for a VIP room.'
That was the conclusion I reached after examining every corner with my Perception Skill.
Hunter training rooms did not have CCTV installed. There were plenty of hunters who did not want their techniques or Skills revealed.
'This isn't the time to just admire everything.'
The reason I came here was to raise the Levels of the Skills I currently possessed to 11.
I opened my Skill list.
『Owned Skills List』
Swordsmanship Lv.10, Strength Lv.10, Perception Lv.10, Footwork Lv.10, Martial Arts Lv.10, Agility Lv.10, Natural Recovery Lv.10, Toughness Lv.10, Memory Search Lv.10, Intelligence Lv.10, Dissection Lv.10, Intimidation Lv.7, Straight Slash (R) Lv.10, Mental Fortitude Lv.11, Mining Lv.11, Luck Lv.1
There were a total of 16 Skills displayed.
A satisfied smile formed on my lips.
The number and Levels of my Skills were impossible to believe for someone who was only Level 40.
But I could not train all of them.
'Among these, the Skills I need to train are already decided.'
Strength, Agility, and Straight Slash.
These three were easy to train, and their effects were the most noticeable.
'Unlike reaching Level 10, reaching Level 11 requires more effort.'
Based on my experiences so far, there were several conditions required for Skill Experience to increase.
Those conditions became especially important when going from Lv.10 to Lv.11.
'First, Experience doesn't accumulate unless it is meaningful Experience.'
This was especially noticeable in fields where I had no talent. On the other hand, Skills like Mining and Dissection, where I seemed to have talent, gained Experience extremely well.
'Or Skills that I received through transmission.'
Perhaps because I had received Straight Slash through transmission, its Level increased rapidly. The Experience was already at 24%. It seemed Experience increased as long as I used it on something other than empty air.
I casually turned my head, and Shin Taeyang was staring at me intently.
I spoke indifferently.
"What are you doing? Go do your own training."
I had seen it before, but other than Straight Slash, there was no technique worth learning from Shin Taeyang.
My current level was simply not enough yet.
So we should each do our own thing.
However, he showed no sign of caring about my words. He looked at me with determined eyes and lowered his head.
"Master, could you show me Straight Slash one more time? Please!"
It seemed he still had not mastered Straight Slash.
When we parted last time, he had spoken so confidently that I thought there was no problem.
Well, it had not even been a week since I met Shin Taeyang. This was completely normal. Even a genius could not understand everything instantly.
I stared at Shin Taeyang with calm eyes.
'...I can't get used to this. He's too different from the Sword Saint I know.'
Where had the Sword Saint gone, the one whose shoulders had risen to the sky from arrogance and confidence?
There was one part I could roughly understand.
'Normally, there would have been no one who surpassed Shin Taeyang in Swordsmanship.'
That meant there would have been nothing for him to fear, nothing to be intimidated by. Only he himself was the best.
Throughout his life, when it came to Swordsmanship, he must have been the answer and the path.
But then I appeared before him.
'If I think about how shocking that must have been, I can understand.'
In a way, it was fortunate. If the future Sword Saint trained Straight Slash from now on, he would become an even stronger ally in the future.
"I'll show it once. Watch carefully."
After all this time, I was actually teaching the Sword Saint.
Whoosh! Boom!
The spear I threw cut through the air and struck the target. The training wooden dummy shattered into pieces. The spear pierced through the dummy and embedded itself deeply into the wall.
'Retrieval.'
When I expressed my will internally, the spear stuck in the wall flew back into my hand like a magnet.
Clack.
I gripped the spear tightly. The sensation was good. At this level, it was definitely usable even in actual combat.
Shin Taeyang, who had been watching, had shining eyes.
"You already completed it? What is the name of the technique? It looks like you're just throwing it, but the destructive power is incredible."
"..."
This guy really saw through it.
Just as Shin Taeyang said, I was simply throwing it.
'What technique name? I'm just throwing it hard.'
The Unique spear I received as a Level-up reward.
I worked hard throwing that spear and created a Throwing Skill. By doing it consistently every day, the Skill appeared.
『You acquire the Skill 'Throwing Lv.11'.』
『Additional Effect: Throwing damage, speed, and accuracy increase by 25%』
Neither Spearmanship nor a Spear Throwing Skill appeared.
Still, at around Level 11, it was no longer simply "throwing." It was closer to firing like a cannon. The instantaneous attack power was actually stronger than Soul Devourer.
'This should be more than enough for actual combat.'
It was more than sufficient as a secondary weapon.
The six days passed in an instant. During that time, I did not enter any gates. There was no rush, and it could have caused unnecessary problems.
Thanks to Shin Taeyang, I was able to focus comfortably on training in the VIP room.
I increased my Strength using the latest exercise equipment enhanced with weight-increasing magic, and repeatedly trained evasion in the simulation room.
『You acquire the Skill 'Strength Lv.11'.』
『Additional Effect: Strength stat +10%』
『You acquire the Skill 'Agility Lv.11'.』
『Additional Effect: Agility stat +10%』
"Whoo..."
Even with 100,000x Experience, the process of putting in effort was not easy. I trained repeatedly with almost no breaks. Without Mental Fortitude, I would not have been able to do it within six days.
'Still, ordinary training really does take quite a lot of time.'
Of course, raising the maximum Level by one in only six days was already something absurd.
The proof was right there.
"Compared to you, Master, who newly mastered a technique using a spear, I am..."
Shin Taeyang muttered and collapsed onto the floor. He looked completely discouraged.
"I think this is my limit now. My Experience doesn't increase anymore. I don't have any realization either."
He muttered with a gloomy expression. Shin Taeyang was serious. He had focused on training while watching the Straight Slash I showed once a day, but it seemed he had not achieved much progress.
'...I don't really have anything to tell him.'
I was not exactly good at teaching.
Still, considering the value of the VIP room he had rented for me, I felt like I should at least tell him something.
I searched through the few memories I had related to the Sword Saint.
— You want to learn my Straight Slash? Hahaha! There isn't a technique better than this one. Swing it until the System recognizes Straight Slash! There is no method for dullards like you. If you were a genius like me, maybe...
— So think of it as connecting the sky and earth into one. Swing until you die. If you don't want to die to the demons, swing until the moment before death.
Fortunately, there was one memorable line. The Sword Saint being talkative was useful in this way.
But connecting the sky and earth was already the method Shin Taeyang had taught me. Since he already knew it himself, it would be meaningless.
Then only one thing remained.
I spoke in a solemn voice.
"...Swing until you die."
"Excuse me?"
"Swing until the moment before death if you don't want to die."
"Y-yes."
Shin Taeyang immediately stood up. Then he began swinging his sword up and down with all his effort.
He trained with unprecedented seriousness, sweating heavily.
'It'll happen naturally with enough time.'
I did not even make those words up. They were his own words, after all.
『Straight Slash Lv.10 [97%]』
While demonstrating it, my own Straight Slash was also close to reaching Level 11.
Alright.
I stretched.
I leaned back against the soft sofa behind me. After exhausting my body, the rest felt like I was melting into the seat.
'I've raised them as much as I can.'
The Skills that could gain Experience through training had already reached their maximum possible growth. For the rest, I had no choice but to use them gradually in actual combat.
'Come to think of it, isn't Shin Taeyang being called back by his guild?'
For six days, Shin Taeyang had also devoted himself to training. He seemed to contact the Guardian Guild occasionally, but I had never seen him leave.
Thanks to that, I had been able to train comfortably in a top-class facility.
I asked the question that came to mind.
"But aren't you going to clear gates or train with your guild?"
"Ah, they said I would be in a self-training period until they find me a gate. They said there was no one to teach me, so I should train alone."
Normally, hunters with outstanding talent received direct management from their guild.
But if that talent was extraordinarily exceptional, the situation changed.
'Even within the guild, there probably isn't anyone who can teach him Swordsmanship.'
Still, shouldn't he receive basic hunter training? Were they planning to teach him through actual combat? Well, it was not my concern.
"I was actually going to tell you this, but I think I need to leave early today. I got assigned a solo gate. It's basically my debut."
Shin Taeyang's treatment was that of a super rookie within the guild.
The Guardian Guild seemed to be planning to raise Shin Taeyang by assigning him a solo gate and gathering monsters for him.
Come to think of it, what was this guy's current hunter Rank?
"What is your Rank right now?"
"Ah, I didn't tell you. I'm still C-rank."
It was not as high as I expected.
A hunter's Rank was determined at awakening.
If someone was lucky or extremely talented, there were cases where they started at A-rank.
"But when I took the entrance test, I defeated even an A-rank. The opponent I fought then was named Jin Yeongmin? It's unfortunate he failed because of me. But what can I do? My brilliant talent..."
"...Just answer what I asked."
Of course, there were cases where talent crushed everything.
"Anyway, work hard."
"Then, Master's Rank is—"
"I'll show Straight Slash one last time, so watch carefully."
At Shin Taeyang's level, he could roughly figure out my Rank anyway.
'I've only shown Shin Taeyang Straight Slash once a day.'
There was no grand reason. It was simply because Shin Taeyang himself did not cling to it excessively.
His method seemed to be looking once, then repeatedly reflecting on it while training.
'Although I also didn't want to reach Level 11 in front of Shin Taeyang and make things troublesome.'
Since today was effectively the last time, there was no need to worry about unnecessary things.
I stood up from the soft sofa and picked up a training sword. I headed toward the Swordsmanship training area on the left.
Swoosh.
I stood in front of a human-shaped striking dummy and raised the sword.
'Still, it would be better to raise Straight Slash to Level 11 while Shin Taeyang is here.'
I realized something over the past few days. When the transmitter of a Skill was nearby, Experience increased much faster. I did not know why.
So it was right to raise the remaining amount now.
Slash—!
The sharp blade cut diagonally through the dummy. The straight crack engraved on its surface dug deeper. Soon, the dummy split in half and fell.
This was only a training sword, and I had not even wrapped it in magical energy, yet it had this much power.
"Wow... Even seeing it again, it's incredible."
Shin Taeyang, who had approached without me noticing, stared at my Straight Slash with a serious expression. His eyes showed that he would not miss even a single movement or breath.
This was Level 10 Straight Slash.
『You acquire the Skill 'Straight Slash Lv.11'.』
『You have reached Skill Level 11 and acquired an additional effect.』
I raised the training sword.
After waiting for a moment, the destroyed dummy returned to its original form. It had a high-Level restoration Skill attached, so no matter how many times it was cut, it returned to normal.
I gripped the sword tightly and inhaled.
— Straight Slash
A single straight line connecting the beginning and end of space was drawn. It was a simple sword strike, neither grand nor flashy.
However, the essence of the sword contained within it was far from insignificant. Only now could I feel it slightly.
A brilliant light was engraved across the space I had cut.
"..."
The flow of air inside the room, which had been completely still, began to change. I could vividly feel the process of a thin stream of wind becoming a storm capable of devouring everything.
The sword strike did not stop even after effortlessly cutting through a mere training dummy.
Only after a wound that ignored distance crossed the wall of the training room did the wind finally settle.
From left to right, a single line split the entire 10-meter wall.
Tumble... tumble...
Fragments of special concrete material fell from the destroyed wall.
'What?'
Only then did I remember that the thing in my hand was a training sword. Just as I was surprised by the effect that exceeded even my expectations, there was a sound from behind.
Thud.
Something collapsed behind me.
It was Shin Taeyang.
I understood being shocked, but collapsing was a little...
However, there was no focus in his eyes. Those empty eyes turned toward me. He muttered something.
"A monster... Master is a monster..."
I approached Shin Taeyang.
"Hey, wake up. Didn't you say you had to go clear a gate?"
Beyond Heaven (天外天).
There was always another heaven beyond the sky.
When it came to the sword, Shin Taeyang was confident.
If it was about handling a sword, he was certain he would not lose to anyone.
That was definitely true.
"He is a prodigy, a prodigy."
"He's only in middle school, but even kendo instructors can't handle him."
From a young age, Shin Taeyang possessed extraordinary talent for the sword. His father, who ran a kendo school, actively supported Shin Taeyang.
"He must be amazing because he takes after his father."
"Do you have some secret method for raising such a talented child?"
A genius who surpassed his father. The bitter expression in his father's eyes when he received such questions remained vivid in Shin Taeyang's memory.
Regardless, his talent was truly extraordinary.
Shin Taeyang swept through prestigious sword competitions. Even geniuses known for their skills fell before him. Regardless of age, no one surpassed his sword.
"How can I become as good at kendo as you?"
"How much do I need to practice to use a sword like Taeyang?"
The endless questions and admiring gazes.
Shin Taeyang could not understand them.
'You just do it.'
Even those appearing in world competitions broadcast on television looked completely amateurish in Shin Taeyang's eyes. And in reality, they were.
Even against a kendo athlete who had achieved great results in an international competition, Shin Taeyang won effortlessly.
"Incredible, Shin Taeyang defeated a national team member."
"Awesome! Shin Taeyang! A genius has appeared in South Korea!"
People around him made a huge commotion, but he wondered if it was really such a big deal.
Even after searching through books and videos, he was never satisfied.
The thought that started it all was simple.
'Then should I make one myself?'
From that day onward, Shin Taeyang pursued his own swordsmanship. The sword he swung became the rule and the proper path.
There was nothing to compare himself with. Even if there was, everyone knelt before his swordsmanship. Even hunters could not withstand the swordsmanship of Shin Taeyang, an unawakened person.
"Is that all? I haven't even started yet."
To Shin Taeyang, it felt as if no one took the sword seriously.
'After giving their all to training swordsmanship, this is all they can do?'
However, the more he voiced such thoughts, the more people around him drifted away.
"He's a genius, so he probably doesn't understand ordinary people's feelings."
"He's amazing, but he's too arrogant."
"Do geniuses normally live believing they're great?"
Jealousy and envy beyond admiration. It was not only the people around him.
"I think your vessel is too large for me to handle. I'm sorry."
Even his father said that and left. Young Shin Taeyang did not know that there were parents incapable of handling their own child's talent.
He simply became more deeply immersed in the sword.
— Congratulations. You have awakened.
Then Shin Taeyang awakened.
— You acquire the Skill 'Shin Taeyang Style Swordsmanship'.
— You acquire the Skill 'Straight Slash'.
— You acquire the Skill 'Full Moon Flash'.
The swordsmanship he had practiced had all transformed into Skills. The techniques he had only imagined began to manifest at his fingertips.
To forget his father who had left, he immersed himself even more deeply in the sword.
While dreaming of the brilliant future that would someday arrive.
Outside, he swung his sword.
Inside his room, he practiced signatures.
Then.
Someone came to the kendo school.
At first, he thought it was a fan who had come to see him. But thinking about it, he had not achieved anything yet, so he had no fans. He decided to treat them as one anyway.
"Try it now."
He thought the person was someone unfortunate without talent for the sword.
"...?"
But that person surpassed him.
Shin Taeyang witnessed the next realm of Straight Slash.
He had been confident that he was the strongest, the greatest, at swordsmanship.
He had lived believing that, but that belief was broken in an instant.
"J-just how..."
His name was Lee Jihan.
'So I was still just a novice.'
The world was still vast. Only then did he realize that countless things had changed while he had been trapped inside his kendo school.
His mind went blank.
But he had no choice except to accept it.
'I need to accept it to move forward.'
It was the moment when a new color was added to Shin Taeyang's world, which he had thought was colorless.
At least this man had surpassed him. He had caught up to a technique he himself created in an instant and even surpassed it.
Standing before the moment when his life's experiences were denied, Shin Taeyang made a decision.
'The only person who can become my master from now on is this man.'
There was no need to fear jealousy or envy from this person. Because he was superior to him.
He was fascinated by the genius of a man who had carved out the path he needed to walk in an instant.
Up to that point, it was good. Now he simply needed to learn.
'I think I can catch up soon. I have a feeling.'
Watching his master's more advanced Straight Slash, Shin Taeyang accepted it.
He believed it was a distance he could reach with enough effort.
But...
Only one week.
Lee Jihan, his master, had already far surpassed even that stage.
The single straight line drawn by his sword went beyond admiration and reached awe. It was a realm Shin Taeyang of the present could not even dare to approach.
'Will I ever be able to reach a sword realm like that?'
Shin Taeyang felt all strength leave his body.
A new realm impossible even to predict.
The version of himself who thought he could catch up had been foolish.
Shin Taeyang lost consciousness right there.